WSA GRAND JURY HONG KONG 2011

Hong Kong, April 8th - 14th, 2011

The Closing Conference of the WSA Grand Jury in Hong Kong took place at the HKCEC. It served to round up an international-scale event with ICT experts from 32 Jurors ranging from Austria to New Zealand and Ecuador to Tunisia deciding on what is top and flop in ICT in 2011.

WSA Chairman Peter A. Bruck pointed out that jurors had the chance to see extremely inspiring content and were hosted in an environment cherishing ICT, i.e. Hong Kong. iProA Founder Elizabeth Quat underlined that iProA as a long-term partner of the WSA in China works together with the WSA to get closer to the common goal to implement the UN agenda for development of information society.

“The WSA provides a great opportunity for HK ICT experts to involve in discussion of bridging the content gap by selecting and promoting creative contents and innovative applications. Such discussion is so inspiring and fruitful.” remarked Mr. Alex Hung, Chairman of the WSA Grand Jury 2011 Organising Committee in Hong Kong

Over 460 products such as websites, apps or digital installations from 105 countries were competing in this years'award. A buzzing topic was the question of digital divide. Other topics discussed were e.g. how games can help people to develop strategic thinking, since they have to think hard at the same time play hard.

Find the WINNERS here!

"We are facing the threat of a new digital divide, which will not be a divide between rich and poor, but between introvert and extrovert. A true information society needs to find a way to accept and include those who do not want to be included in all types of social networks and digital trends," told WSA Grand Juror Anya Sverdlov from Russia.

While being in Hong Kong, the jurors of the WSA also had the chance to meet with local representatives of companies, institutions and government. The events included a reception at the premises of the Consul General of the Republic of Austria to Hong Kong SAR, Gerhard Maynhardt, where Consuls from several countries met with the 32 jurors, to discuss the implications of ICT and e-Content for their work and home countries.